Advocates say that public schools don't fit the needs of every child, and that no child should have to attending a failing school simply because that child lives in a certain ZIP code. Opponents, including most public school systems, argue that fixing failing schools would be a better solution, and that the money will go to schools that lack accountability and oversight.
SBISD encourages the community to follow this and other action of the 85th Texas Legislature, in session now through May 29.
School Choice Bill Pitches Savings Accounts, Tax Credit Scholarships
Aliyya Swaby, The Texas Tribune
Jan. 30, 2017
One of the most anticipated debates of the 85th Legislative Session began taking shape Monday with the layout of a two-part Texas Senate bill that would allow for Texas taxpayer dollars to be used to help parents send their kids to private or religious schools.
Senate Bill 3, filed by Senate Education Chairman Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, would establish the creation of two voucher-like programs that some parents could combine to subsidize the entire cost of private school tuition.
The first half of the bill proposes education savings accounts, or ESAs, which give Texas parents public money to spend on private K-12 school tuition and education-related expenses, including tutoring, technology, textbooks and special education services. Five states have implemented the program so far, mostly for students who have special needs.
The second half of the bill brings back a proposal for tax credit scholarships, which was hotly debated during the 2015 legislative session. The tax credit scholarship program would allow businesses to count contributions to approved scholarship organizations as credit against their insurance premium tax.
The Texas Tribune is a
nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans — and engages
with them – about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
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